Health Library Explorer
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z A-Z Listings Contact Us
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Click a letter to see a list of conditions beginning with that letter.
Click 'Topic Index' to return to the index for the current topic.
Click 'Library Index' to return to the listing of all topics.

What Is a Transient Ischemic Attack?

A transient ischemic attack (TIA), also called a ministroke or warning stroke, causes symptoms similar to those of a stroke. The difference is that TIAs don’t cause permanent brain damage, and they often last less than one hour. But they can last up to 24 hours. About one-third of people will suffer a stroke in the year after a TIA.

TIAs happen when a blood clot or artery spasm suddenly blocks or closes off an artery briefly. This stops blood from reaching a part of the brain for a short period of time. Different parts of the brain do different things. So TIA symptoms depend on what part of the brain is affected. For example, a person can have weakness in their arm without the real problem being in the arm. The problem can be a lack of blood flow to the part of the brain that is responsible for arm strength.

Here are symptoms to watch for:

  • Sudden numbness in your face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body

  • Sudden confusion

  • Sudden trouble seeing, talking, or understanding

  • Sudden trouble with balance or walking

  • Sudden dizziness or loss of coordination 

  • Sudden severe headache you can’t explain

  • Loss of consciousness or seizure

If you think you are having a TIA, get medical help right away. Recognizing symptoms of a TIA and getting treatment right away will reduce the risk for a major stroke.  

Online Medical Reviewer: Anne Fetterman RN BSN
Online Medical Reviewer: Deepak Sudheendra MD
Online Medical Reviewer: Raymond Kent Turley BSN MSN RN
Date Last Reviewed: 6/1/2022
Copyright Health Ink & Vitality Communications
StayWell Disclaimer